Downspout distributor

ABSTRACT

An improved downspout diverter to diffuse water flowing out of a downspout in order to avoid erosion. The improved downspout diverter employs a highly effective progression of diffuser elements, and also provides a more aesthetic appearance, improved manufacturability, a stronger molded design, and eliminates the problem of debris clogging the diverter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/392,071 filed 12 Oct. 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to rainspouts and, more particularly, to a downspout distributor for positioning beneath a rain downspout to direct and distribute rainwater away from the foundation, minimizing erosion.

2. Description of the Background

In storms and heavy downpours, large volumes of water collect in residential gutters and exit from surrounding downspouts, sometimes emerging as an extremely strong flow of rainwater. This gushing water can cause surrounding ground and landscape material to wash away, creating deep and unsightly ruts in the ground leading away from the downspouts. To solve this problem, there have been past efforts to diffuse the flow of water from downspouts and thereby prevent erosion.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,830 to Watts issued Jan. 25, 1972 shows a sheet metal downspout drain trough that leads to a series of convolutions and holes at the discharge end to diffuse the rainwater and allow it to leak out and soak into the ground. The patent is expired.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,212 to Joyner issued May 30, 2006 shows a downspout energy dissipater splash pad with spillway that permits accumulated water in the splash pad to spillover and be discharged from the splash pad. Aggregate is contained within the splash pad for dissipating the water discharge.

The brochure page for the AquaBarrel™ Splash Block Diffuser shows a clam-shell downspout diffuser with an internal series of ‘teeth’ that work as baffles to slow the speed of the water and distribute it over a wider area.

United States Patent Application No. 20090003933 by Ken Anderson filed Jun. 27, 2007 shows a splash block having a trough and a diffuser arrangement for use in controlling water dispensed from a downspout of a home or building. The diffuser arrangement includes a plurality of diffusing elements that displace a high flow of water produced from a heavy downpour in a random dispensing.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,779 to E. T. Luff issued Nov. 23, 1943 shows a ramped splash block with divergent guide vanes.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,171 to Edward A. Kotlar issued Jan. 20, 1958 shows a downspout diverter with a slayed hose arrangement.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,894 to Koller et al. issued Nov. 30, 2004 shows a downspout lateral outlet water splay apparatus that splays the water laterally from the outlet to overcome the problem of erosion of the ground as had on direct flow from a lateral spout onto the ground.

None of the foregoing references provide a multi-piece repositionable downspout distributor having both a ramped diffuser formed as an integral molded plastic component, and a removable cover for enclosing and protecting the ramped diffuser. The specific design details of the present invention, and particularly its diffuser pattern, add to its utility and manufacturability, and provide significant advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive downspout diverter to diffuse water flowing out of the downspout and avoid erosion,

It is another object to provide an improved downspout diverter with highly effective diffusers, a more aesthetic appearance, improved manufacturability, a stronger molded design, and eliminate the problem of debris clogging the diverter.

In accordance with the foregoing object, the present downspout distributor is a molded splash block that diffuses rainwater pouring out of a downspout so that it does not erode soil or cause moisture damage around a foundation. The downspout distributor includes an upper chamber formed with a receptacle that couples to a downspout, a ramped chute leading downward and away from the receptacle, and a cover plate that partially covers the cute. The chute broadens at the bottom to a circular platform, and a series of diffusing vanes are spaced along the chute and on the platform to spread water runoff around a broader area. The diffusing vanes begin as sharp triangles and progress in size and angle to broad V-shaped vanes. The Downspout Distributor is positioned beneath the downspout, helps direct and distribute rainwater away from the foundation, and helps minimize erosion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the downspout distributor 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the diffusor elements 46, 62 on the surface 44 of the ramp.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the downspout distributor 10 as in FIGS. 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a rain downspout for directing, diffusing and distributing rainwater away from the foundation, minimizing erosion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the downspout distributor 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the downspout distributor 10 as in FIG. 1.

With combined reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the downspout distributor 10 generally comprises a unitary molded splash block 12 that serves as a foundation and partial protective enclosure for a diffuser ramp 14 that diffuses rainwater pouring out of a downspout so that it does not erode soil or cause moisture damage around a foundation.

Splash block 12 is formed with an upper chamber 16 that serves as a partially-enclosed receptacle that couples to an existing downspout via an adapter plate 18, various adapter plates 18 being upwardly configured to friction-fit any of a variety of downspout sizes and uniformly downwardly configured for tongue-in-groove seating (and preferably a friction fit) atop upper chamber 16. Thus, the adapter plates 18 are generally uniformly-dimensioned rectangular plates with downward peripheral grooves for flush seating, and varying central apertures for insertion of the downspout. The upper chamber 16 defines a boxlike structure with open upper frame for seating the adapter plates 18. The upper chamber 16 opens at a slit onto diffuser ramp 14 which serves as a spillway for water ejected from the downspout. The adapter plate 18 in combination with the upper chamber 16 substantially seals the downspout distributor 10 from accumulating debris, the only ingress being through the vertical slit opening (obscured) onto the diffuser ramp 14. This avoids clogging and preserves aesthetics. Diffuser ramp 14 is formed with a flat inclined surface 44 sloping downward at an angle with a range of from 4-20 degrees, and preferably approximately ten degrees. The inclined surface 44 of diffuser ramp 14 is bounded on both sides with vertical walls 42 which extend approximately 1-2 inches above the inclined surface 44. Stabilizing tabs 50 may extend horizontally at the bottom of the walls 42 to provide lateral stability for the entire downspout distributor 10.

The inclined surface 44 of diffuser ramp 14 continues down to and terminates at a circular platform 60. Both the inclined surface 44 of diffuser ramp 14 and circular platform 60 are defined by a series of upwardly protruding diffuser elements 46, 62. Diffuser elements 46 include two to three uniformly spaced solid triangular protrusions oriented base-downward along inclined surface 44. Diffuser elements 46 are flat-topped, protrude approximately 1-2 cm above the inclined surface 44, and extend across a majority of the inclined surface 44 of diffuser ramp 14, leaving approximately 1 inch on either side.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the diffusor elements 46, 62 on the inclined surface 44 of the ramp. Water flowing down the diffuser ramp 14 encounters shallow diffuser elements 46 which do not entirely obstruct the water, but create an under-current (current of water below the surface, moving in a different direction from the surface water) that diverts it to either side. Debris follows the surface flow, and so this configuration likewise prevents clogging with unsightly debris.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 3, the circular platform 60 begins proximate to where the walls 42 end and flares outward past the inclined surface 44 of diffuser ramp 14, thereby providing an expanded lateral spillway at the bottom of the diffuser ramp 14. The circular platform 60 likewise contains diffuser elements 62, albeit different than elements 46. Diffuser elements 62 include a tighter succession of five to seven uniformly spaced V-shaped vanes oriented V-downward. Diffuser elements 62 are likewise shallow and flat-topped, protruding approximately 1-2 cm above the inclined surface 44, initially extending across a majority of the inclined circular platform 60, leaving approximately 1 inch on either side. The downward-most diffuser elements 62 extend all the way across the circular platform 60. The rush of water flowing down the diffuser ramp 14 encounters diffuser elements 46 which diffuse it and slow its speed, resulting in a wider slower rush at the circular platform 60. The tighter succession of V-shaped diffuser elements 62 on circular platform 60 act more aggressively against this slowed flow and fan the water outward in a uniform circular pattern at the termination of the circular platform 60. This particular configuration and progression of diffuser elements 46, 62 gradually steers the water outward resulting in a smooth and uniform discharge, and avoids rutting of soil at the discharge.

The net result is a downspout distributor 10 that can be readily positioned beneath most any downspout, and which promotes a minimally-invasive distribution of rainwater away from the house foundation, thereby minimizing erosion.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that the above-described

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A downspout distributor, comprising: an adapter plate for receiving an existing downspout; a unitary molded splash block formed with an upper chamber defined as a partially-enclosed receptacle with an open upper frame for seating said adapter plate, said upper chamber opening at a horizontal slit onto a diffuser ramp of said molded splash block that serves as a spillway for water ejected from the downspout, said diffuser ramp being bounded on both sides with vertical walls and sloping downward at an angle from said upper chamber to an inclined circular platform; a first plurality of diffuser elements uniformly spaced along the inclined surface of diffuser ramp, said first plurality of diffuser elements each comprising a solid flat-topped triangular protrusion above the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp; and a second plurality of diffuser elements uniformly spaced along the inclined surface of the circular platform, said second plurality of diffuser elements each comprising a V-shaped vane protrusion above the inclined surface and extending across the inclined surface of the circular platform.
 2. The downspout distributor according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of diffuser elements comprises within a range from two three first diffuser elements.
 3. The downspout distributor according to claim 1, wherein said second plurality of diffuser elements comprises within a range from three to seven second diffuser elements.
 4. The downspout distributor according to claim 1, wherein said first and second pluralities of diffuser elements all protrude within a range of from 1-2 cm above the inclined surface.
 5. The downspout distributor according to claim 1, wherein said second plurality of diffuser elements all extend across a majority of the inclined circular platform.
 6. The downspout distributor according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of diffuser elements all extend across a majority of the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp.
 7. A downspout distributor, comprising: a unitary molded splash block comprising a diffuser ramp formed with an inclined spillway, said diffuser ramp being bounded on both sides with vertical walls and sloping downward at an angle; a first plurality of diffuser elements uniformly spaced along the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp, said first plurality of diffuser elements each comprising a solid flat-topped triangular protrusion above the inclined surface and extending across a majority of the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp; and a second plurality of diffuser elements uniformly spaced along the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp, said second plurality of diffuser elements each comprising a V-shaped vane protrusion above the inclined surface and extending across at least a majority of the inclined surface.
 8. The downspout distributor according to claim 7, wherein said a unitary molded splash block comprises a diffuser ramp formed with an inclined spillway, said diffuser ramp being bounded on both sides with vertical walls and sloping downward at an angle from said upper chamber to an inclined circular platform.
 9. The downspout distributor according to claim 7, wherein said first plurality of diffuser elements comprises within a range from two three first diffuser elements.
 10. The downspout distributor according to claim 7, wherein said second plurality of diffuser elements comprises within a range from three to seven second diffuser elements.
 11. The downspout distributor according to claim 8, wherein said second plurality of diffuser elements are located on said inclined circular platform.
 12. The downspout distributor according to claim 7, wherein said first and second pluralities of diffuser elements all protrude within a range of from 1-2 cm above the inclined surface.
 13. The downspout distributor according to claim 11, wherein said second plurality of diffuser elements all extend across a majority of the inclined circular platform.
 14. The downspout distributor according to claim 7, wherein said first plurality of diffuser elements all extend across a majority of the inclined surface of the diffuser ramp. 